The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

A gust of wind blew and the fallen leaves fluttered down.

In the empty imperial garden, the retired emperor sat alone on a stone, looking up at the direction of the western mountains with his head slightly tilted, letting the fallen leaves flutter all over his body.

After a long while, the emperor sighed deeply. He now felt a little regretful that he should not have helped the second son.

In his plan, the emperor took the crown prince to hunt in the Western Mountains, and the people lurking beside the second son would take advantage of the second son's opportunity to assassinate the crown prince to kill the emperor. As long as the news of the death of the emperor and the crown prince came, he would stand up to take charge of the situation and support the young crown prince to ascend the throne, so that he could take control of the government again and become the ruler of the empire.

But now the plan has been disrupted. The crown prince was left behind to act as regent, and the crown prince was taken to the Western Hills.

Among the emperor's children and grandchildren, he only took a fancy to the crown prince. First, the crown prince was young and easy to control. Second, he was extremely intelligent. As long as he was well trained, he would become an "expert in governing the country" in the future.

He looked down on the three princes, not just because they were old and difficult to control.

The second and third sons only learned their father's ruthlessness and conspiracy, and are no longer useful.

As for the crown prince, he was also a waste. If it weren't for the queen, his grave would have been covered with grass. And with his body, he might not even be able to live longer than me.

But this is also an advantage!
The only son left for the emperor was Jia Yuanchun's son, the Fifth Prince An. But he was too young. Could he live to see him grow up?

Although he was reluctant to admit his aging, the changes in his body forced him to face reality. He knew very well that drinking deer blood was actually useless and was just a psychological comfort.

Thinking of this, the retired emperor sighed and could only hope that the people lurking around the second son could successfully stop the second son and then kill the emperor.

The answer to success or failure will be known tomorrow.

A gust of wind blew, and the emperor's hair, which had turned from white to yellow, fluttered in disarray.

The emperor stood up, took a deep breath, and looked towards the west mountain with worry in his eyes: "I hope everything goes well."

The setting sun has lost its dazzling light and is now as red as blood, struggling over the western hills and refusing to set.

One trumpet after another was blown.

The military scholars led the imperial guards and returned with the prey carried, their bodies covered in blood.

In the stands, Emperor Yongchang smiled and nodded with satisfaction.

Looking at the mountain of prey, the Crown Prince exclaimed.

The royal relatives, nobles, and civil and military officials who were watching the hunt were also in an uproar. Many of them kept nodding their heads and talking in low voices.

Feng Ziying looked at the various people who had arrived and said to Li Hu, "It seems that they have discussed it long ago. The number one martial arts champion hunted the most beasts, followed by the number two and three. The number of beasts hunted by the second-class people is about the same. The third-class people are uneven, but no one has surpassed the second-class people."

After a pause, he said, "Human relations and social etiquette are everywhere!"

Li Hu smiled, then turned his gaze to the emperor, then sighed in his heart, even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected, father and son will always be father and son, no matter how close he is to outsiders, he is still his son!
Those men in black confessed, but they didn't want to assassinate the emperor, but assassinate him. This is bullshit! Does assassinating him require such a big show? Not only did they recruit failed martial arts candidates, but they also taught them military formations.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the other party was coming for the emperor or the crown prince, but the emperor believed it! Perhaps in the eyes of the emperor, the other party's target was only the crown prince, and now that the crown prince was unharmed, he was too lazy to pursue it.

It's not that he was too lazy to investigate, but he just didn't want to make things look bad, so he killed those men in black and dealt with the people in the infantry camp. Prince Zhongshun was also implicated and was fined one year's salary of a prince and two years' salary of the commander of the infantry camp.

Li Hu shook his head. You are so soft-hearted! When the knife is on your neck, you will cry.

At this time, Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding walked to the front of the stands and reported to Emperor Yongchang: "Your Majesty, all the military scholars who participated in the autumn hunt have returned, and all the prey are here." Having said that, he pointed to the prey that looked like small hills.

Emperor Yongchang coughed and said loudly: "From the looks of these prey, the results seem to have come out."

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused a huge silent reaction!
First of all, the top three martial arts champions tried hard to suppress their joy and excitement!

The ecstatic expression of the second-class military scholar!

Many of the top three military scholars showed a look of loss on their faces.

Emperor Yongchang saw everyone's reaction and said with a smile: "Just now when we were hunting, the Crown Prince asked me for a favor."

All the military scholars and officials could not help but turn their eyes to the emperor again.

Emperor Yongchang: "Give the unsuccessful military scholars a chance. They will be demoted one level and sent to the Yongwei Camp to participate in the reorganization of the new army. If they pass the assessment, they will be promoted two levels and continue to serve in the Yongwei Camp."

The military scholars were overjoyed when they heard this, and they were all excited and energized.

Emperor Yongchang: "Of course, there are rewards and punishments. If you fail the assessment, you must accept the punishment."

Someone among the top three military scholars immediately shouted, "Long live the emperor! Long live the crown prince!"

All the military scholars immediately shouted in unison: "Long live the emperor! Long live the crown prince!"

Li Hu snorted softly. It was too early to be happy now. He didn't know if he could survive the night!
Emperor Yongchang gave a banquet as usual, and the banquet was set outside the imperial tent.

Two military scholars formed a banquet, sitting on the ground with food placed on a low table.

Due to limited conditions, the food at the banquet was very simple, with a whole lamb leg, a plate of dried fruits, a plate of pastries, and unlimited alcohol.

Of course, the emperor, Li Hu and others had much more abundant food, and they had separate seats and the same treatment, which was not conducive to their struggle.

The blazing bonfire illuminated the area outside the imperial tent.

The cups clinked and the military scholars drank to their heart's content.

The royal family, nobles and officials were also drinking and talking in low voices.

Emperor Yongchang did not drink, but just sat quietly at the top, observing everyone calmly.

Seeing that Li Hu was still sitting there motionless, neither drinking nor eating, he frowned but said nothing.

On the other side, Prince Fu drank another large glass of wine in one gulp, looked up at the sky for a long time, and finally made up his mind. He stood up, took a new warm silver kettle from the eunuch, and walked towards Emperor Yongchang.

Li Hu, who had been secretly observing Prince Fu, became alert and looked at him, looking at the wine jug in his hand.

Emperor Yongchang also looked at Prince Fu.

Walking up to him, Prince Fu bowed and said, "Your son offers a glass of wine to your father." Then he asked the eunuch beside him for two new wine glasses and poured two glasses of wine.

Then, Prince Fu knelt down and held up the wine glass with both hands: "I wish my father good health and good luck!" He drank it in one gulp.

Emperor Yongchang looked at him, then slowly reached out his hand, picked up the glass of wine, and slowly brought it to his mouth.

At this time, Dai Quan came out of the imperial tent, put the cloak on Emperor Yongchang, and said, "The Crown Prince has fallen asleep."

Emperor Yongchang stopped the wine glass that was about to reach his mouth and asked, "Have you had dinner yet?"

Dai Quan smiled and replied, "Yes, I ate half a bowl of rice more than usual."

Emperor Yongchang smiled and nodded: "It's a good thing to be able to eat!"

After a few more words, Emperor Yongchang finally drank the glass of wine.

Prince Fu quickly picked up the wine pot and tried to pour more wine, but Emperor Yongchang covered the wine glass and said, "I have been eating medicinal food recently and cannot drink alcohol."

Prince Fu was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Father, please have some food." Then he picked up his chopsticks and picked up a piece of food for Emperor Yongchang.

Emperor Yongchang was silent for a moment, and then said, "It's enough if you have this intention."

Prince Fu replied, "Yes." He bowed his head and then stood up and left. Li Hu blinked. Just like that? Suddenly he saw Prince Fu staring at the dish he picked for Emperor Yongchang. Was the dish poisonous? Impossible! All these dishes had been tasted by the eunuch.

As for the wine just now, there must be nothing wrong with it. Prince Fu is not stupid enough to poison the emperor in front of so many people!
At this time, Emperor Yongchang picked up the chopsticks and ate the dish that Prince Fu had picked up.

Li Hu subconsciously looked at Prince Fu. A hint of joy flashed across his eyes, and then he returned to normal in an instant.

There is definitely something wrong with the dish! Li Hu was startled and wanted to get up, but he just sat there without moving. The dish was tasted by the eunuch next to him, but there was no sign of poisoning.

This puzzled him. Was Prince Fu really just being filial?

Li Hu looked at the dish, then at Prince Fu, and suddenly an idea flashed in his mind. He remembered the plot in the TV series, where two kinds of poisons were mixed in the food and wine. Only when the two poisons were taken at the same time could a person die!
Yes, that must be the case!
There is poison in this dish, so where is the other poison?
The moon was white, and it was hazy when it shone into the lush forest. In order to ensure the emperor's safety, not only did Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding set up many sentries in the forests around the camp, but the guards from the Imperial Household Department also imposed martial law on various mountain roads.

It was so cold in the mountains at night that the two guards from the Imperial Household Department held their swords in their arms, rubbing their hands and breathing out the air.

The mountain path here is very steep, and it is difficult for ordinary people to climb up, and it is easy to be discovered by people above, so there are only two guards here to guard.

One of the guards kept stamping his feet to avoid the cold, cursing, "Damn it, how come time is passing so slowly!"

Another fan: "Just bear with it, there's still half an hour until the third watch!"

"What bad luck, I got picked to this damn place!"

The man spat, turned around and looked towards the camp, saying, "Hey, have you heard? Some people say that those assassins are related to Prince Fu. Our emperor is good in many ways but is too tolerant. He knew that the Second Prince and the Third Prince had evil intentions, but he still conferred the title of prince on them. Now they have committed the crime of assassinating the prince! He doesn't punish them severely, and who knows what will happen in the future. Why don't you say anything?" He turned around and looked, and was shocked!
Under the moonlight, several masked men in night clothes, with only their eyes showing, were standing behind him!

Another man was lying in the arms of a man in black.

Before he could open his mouth, two masked men rushed forward like lightning, one grabbed his wrists and the other held his neck and twisted it.

The man didn't even make a sound, but his eyes bulged out and he died.

It was obviously a pre-planned meeting. Two men in black changed into the clothes of the barbarians, two men in black climbed up a big tree nearby, and the other men in black carried the bodies of the two barbarians and retreated to the bottom of the mountain path.

The banquet was over, and King Zhongshun led the captain of the guard back to the big tent.

As soon as he sat down, the captain of the guard brought a bowl of tea and said softly, "Your Majesty, have a cup of tea to sober you up."

Prince Zhongshun just hummed through his nose, took the tea and drank it slowly.

The captain of the guard turned and walked out, and soon came back with a basin of hot water.

King Zhongshun spoke up: "How are the preparations going?"

The captain of the guards walked to Prince Zhongshun with hot water, placed it at his feet, squatted down, and took off his shoes and socks, saying, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, everything has been arranged. When the third shift is over, our people can come in. God is kind, the wind is blowing, and even if the fire doesn't burn Li Hu to death, it will at least make him lose a layer of skin!"

King Zhongshun: "No need to set the fire. Something will happen in the camp tonight, there will be chaos, we can take the opportunity to kill Li Hu."

The captain of the guard was puzzled, but nodded anyway.

Prince Zhongshun closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and hummed softly: "People say that the emperor's family has nine spring nights, but who knows that it is still frost, snow, guns and swords. One day, the golden palace will collapse, and you and I will become lonely birds without a nest."

The captain of the guard shuddered upon hearing this. Is another palace coup going to happen? !

The second prince, Prince Fu, also returned to his own tent and was now walking back and forth in the big tent.

The young eunuch stood aside with his head down, waiting for Prince Fu to speak.

After walking around the big tent, Prince Fu walked to the door of the tent, looked into the distance, and finally spoke: "We must deal with Li Hu. In the worst case, we must delay him to buy time for us to kill the crown prince."

The young eunuch lowered his head and said, "Li Hu has his own soldiers around him, so it's hard to kill him right away. If we let him hold on until the sentry camp provides support, we'll have only so many people..."

Prince Fu's eyes flashed: "Prince Zhongshun. He has a grudge against Li Hu and has military power. Go find Prince Zhongshun!" After saying that, he walked out.

The young eunuch then raised his head, blinked at the back of Prince Fu disappearing into the darkness, and walked out.

The imperial tent was also brightly lit.

Emperor Yongchang sat at his desk, looking through memorials and official documents sent from the capital.

The curtain was raised, and Dai Quan came in with a porcelain cup on a small tea tray.

Walking to the imperial table and putting it down, Dai Quan said softly: "Your Majesty, the medicinal food"

Emperor Yongchang did not look up, but just responded out of habit.

Dai Quan stopped talking, turned around and walked to the small stove, picked up the copper kettle, poured hot water into the golden basin, wrung out a hot face towel, walked back to the imperial desk and handed it over.

Emperor Yongchang picked up the pen and wrote a few words on the memorial, then took the handkerchief to wipe his face and stood up.

Dai Quan opened the lid and handed the medicinal food to Emperor Yongchang.

Emperor Yongchang picked up the spoon in the bowl, scooped half a spoonful of the medicinal food and brought it to his mouth.

"It's hot. Your Majesty, drink slowly." Dai Quan instructed while sorting out the memorials and official documents on the imperial desk.

Emperor Yongchang put half a spoonful of the medicinal food into his mouth, swallowed it slowly, and then looked at Dai Quan: "What's going on with the second brother?"

Dai Quan hesitated and replied, "Medicinal food should be eaten while it is hot. Your Majesty, please eat the medicinal food first."

Emperor Yongchang scooped another half spoonful of the medicinal food into his mouth and said, "Go ahead."

Dai Quan hesitated for a moment and replied, "Just received news that the Second Prince went to Prince Zhongshun's place."

"Zhongshun?"

Emperor Yongchang could not eat anymore, so he put the porcelain cup on the imperial table. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he said in a cold voice: "They are indeed connected!" Then he walked back and forth quickly.

Dai Quan's heart suddenly rose, he held his breath, and his eyes quietly followed the footsteps of Emperor Yongchang.

Emperor Yongchang walked to the imperial desk and suddenly stopped: "Tell me, what on earth do they want to do?"

Dai Quan didn't dare to answer and lowered his head.

Emperor Yongchang raised his head and thought silently. After thinking for a moment, he looked at Dai Quan again and said, "We can't keep him here."

Dai Quan was startled. Who? Prince Fu, or Prince Zhongshun?

With a "humph", Emperor Yongchang said, "He brought this upon himself, I can't blame him." As he spoke he actually started to cough.

Dai Quan hurried forward and helped Emperor Yongchang sit down on the dragon throne.

"Draft an edict." Emperor Yongchang suddenly covered his chest with his hands and coughed violently.

Dai Quan gently patted his back: "Your Majesty."

"How do I feel?"

Emperor Yongchang felt something coming out of his nose, and when he touched it, it was all blood!

Dai Quan also saw it and shouted in panic: "Call the imperial physician! Call the imperial physician quickly!" (End of this chapter)